Tottenham reach EFL Cup semi-finals as star ends goal drought in style
Tottenham booked their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals after seeing off the challenge of Stoke with a 3-1 win.
Looking for their first trophy under Jose Mourinho, Spurs took another step closer to Wembley by overcoming Stoke at the Stoke Stadium.
Tottenham took the lead in the 22nd minute. Gareth Bale, playing in the competition for the first time since 2012, flicked an aerial pass from Harry Winks into the net with the back of his head.
As well as being Bale’s third goal of the season, it marked Winks’ first assist for Tottenham since 2017
8 – Gareth Bale has scored in consecutive League Cup appearances, though these games have been eight years and 53 days apart, with this last game coming in the competition coming against Norwich in October 2012. Gap. #STOTOT
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 23, 2020
A chance came for Tottenham to double the lead when Harry Kane slid in Dele Alli, but Andy Lonergan saved the latter’s effort with his feet.
It had been something of a stroll for Spurs in the first half, with Stoke yet to have a single shot. However, they soon sparked into life in the second half.
Stoke found an equaliser in the 53rd minute. Utilising a pocket of space on the left-hand side of Tottenham’s defence, the ball arrived with Jacob Brown.
The attacker sent in a low cross across the face of goal, with Jordan Thompson arriving on the end of it to tap home.
Stoke have been far more aggressive since the break and they have their reward! Game on!
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Follow online here 📲 https://t.co/feQQTo7ANu pic.twitter.com/4pQ3oOVOtj— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 23, 2020
Tottenham regain lead in style
Tottenham found themselves back in front in the 70th minute. The ball fell to Ben Davies, who struck it into the far bottom corner from outside the box.
It was Davies’ first goal for Spurs since 2017 – and he chose a brilliant way to score it.
💥💥💥
Has Ben Davies found the winner?#EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/5t6mJsyImo
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) December 23, 2020
Son Heung-min thought he had doubled Spurs’ lead when he finished after being set up by Kane. However, he was judged to be offside – although replays suggest he was unlucky.
Instead, it was Kane who provided the knockout blow to Stoke. As the game entered its final 10 minutes, the striker latched onto a pass from Moussa Sissoko and then muscled off his marker and fired in to make it 3-1.
There was to be no way back for Stoke, so Tottenham advance to the last four.